The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja on Monday restated its earlier order restraining the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and some others from forcing the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to vacate office in view of the allegation of non-disclosure of assets made against him.

Also to be bound by the order are other defendants in a suit by Peter Abang. They are The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Senate President.

Justice Sanusi Kado had, in an ex-parte ruling on January 14 this year made similar order and equally halted the scheduled trial of the CJN before the CCT on charges of non-declaration of assets.

The judge restrained all the defendants in the suit from attempting to force the CJN out office pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s motion for the interlocutory injunction.

Justice Kado said the orders were necessary to avert a threat and constitutional breaches regarding the position of the CJN as the number one judicial officer of the country.

When the case was called on Monday, plaintiff’s lawyer, James Igwe (SAN) told the court that some of the defendants have been served, including the CCT Chairman, who was said to have directed his Secretary to accept service on his behalf.

Igwe, however, applied for the court’s permission to serve the CCT Chairman through substituted means, which the judge granted and adjourned to January 30 for a report of service.

Details later.

The Nation